At the Crown–Baptist–Cleveland corner of Surry Hills sits a Victorian Gothic former church everyone still calls The Kirk. Scots for “church,” sure — but do not let the nickname fool you. This one was Wesleyan Methodist, built about 1879 at 422–424 Cleveland Street, and it stayed a place of worship until it was deconsecrated around 1970.
After worship ended, the building became one of those Surry Hills cultural magnets — concerts, exhibitions, community use, then nightlife. AC/DC filmed the “Let There Be Rock” video inside in 1977. In 1986 artist and socialite Gretel Pinniger (Madame Lash) acquired it. Regular use faded after about 2010. It contributes to the High Holborn Street Heritage Conservation Area without being individually State-listed. Adaptive-reuse for restaurant and commercial space has been approved, keeping the Gothic church volume.
Correct any live text that leans Presbyterian: the nickname is Scots, the denomination was Methodist.
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